Lawrence and Major Trifali rode to the port of Ajaccio. Several neighborhoods around it had been cleared by soldiers, and the workers, boatmen and other personnel on the dock were also evacuated.
Hundreds of soldiers with guns surrounded the dock where the Reason was parked, standing ready, and from time to time they would engage in sporadic exchanges of fire with the sailors on the ship.
But outside the martial law zone, you can still see a dark crowd of citizens gathered here. After learning that the executioners were beaten away, they also walked out of their homes and followed the pursuing soldiers to the port of Ajaccio.
"Lieutenant, what's going on now?"
Lawrence dismounted and asked Lieutenant Seth, who was in charge of the pursuit.
Lieutenant Seth pointed at the Reasonable with a solemn expression and said:
"Sir, the pursuit went well. We captured at least two hundred people, but there were still dozens of British elders who escaped back to the ship, including their commander."
"What's going on aboard the Reasonable Number now?"
Lawrence's expression did not relax at all, he frowned and looked at the ship shape of the Reasonable and asked.
Lieutenant Seth explained:
"The number of people inside is unclear, but including the number of people left in the ship, it should not exceed 200. However, you have also seen that this warship is as easy to defend and difficult to attack as a city wall for the British. If it is attacked by force, it is estimated that There’s still a price to pay.”
Lawrence listened to Lieutenant Seth's description while visually observing the Reasonable.
I saw dozens of sailors armed with muskets gathered on the deck of the Reasonable. They were exchanging fire with the soldiers below under the cover of the ship's side.
And Lieutenant Seth was right. This warship was indeed like a city wall. If the Corsican soldiers wanted to enter the ship, they had to forcefully launch an attack from the gangway like climbing a ladder.
Lawrence nodded and basically understood the situation at the scene, then turned to look at the citizens gathered not far away.
For the citizens of Ajaccio, they will never forget April 1st.
From the riots denounced Khaled in the early morning, to the abdication of Governor Pauli at noon, to the massacre by the British in the afternoon, they experienced too many changes in just one day.
But this did not tire the citizens.
When they learned that the British executioners were defeated by Governor Bonaparte's troops, the fear in their hearts immediately transformed into sympathy for the dead compatriots and anger at the atrocities of the British army.
This is why they are gathered here.
"Major"
After understanding the situation, Lawrence ordered Major Trifari beside him:
"Immediately notify the navy and send the navy's two line ships out of the harbor to be on guard. If the Reason attempts to lift anchor and sail away, fire directly."
Although Lawrence believed that Captain Morris would not take the risk of being sunk and forcefully escape from the port, he still had to be fully prepared just in case.
"Navy? I'm afraid they won't be so obedient."
Major Trifari looked at Lawrence with some hesitation and said.
After all, the Corsican Navy was built from scratch by Pauli himself, and Major Trifali was also very worried about whether they would obey Lawrence's orders.
"Will not."
Lawrence waved his hands without any worry and said in a deep voice:
"They must also know about the massacre and atrocities committed by the British in Ajaccio. If they dare to play any tricks on such a big right and wrong, after taking care of the British, I immediately led troops to surround their naval headquarters."
After saying that, Lawrence added to Major Trifali:
"By the way, you can quote this sentence of mine to them."
"Yes, I understand." Seeing what Lawrence said, Major Trifali also saluted quickly and went to carry out the order.
Lieutenant Seth watched Major Trifali leave, but the solemn look on his face did not diminish.
Even if Lilihao becomes the turtle in the urn, it will still take a lot of effort to gnaw off this hard bone.
"Mr. Governor, what should we do next?" Lieutenant Seth looked at Lawrence and asked.
Lawrence looked at the Reasonable and thought for a moment, then ordered:
"Use a force attack as a last resort and send people first to test their willingness to negotiate."
"yes!"
At the same time, inside the Reasonable, the captain's cabin.
"Hi...ahhh!"
Captain Morris endured the severe pain and watched the ship's military doctor roughly remove the bullet from his wound with tweezers, and then simply disinfected and bandaged it.
The officers on the ship gathered around Morris, all looking at Captain Morris worriedly, waiting for his next order.
At this moment, a sailor on the upper deck rushed in in a panic and excitement. After saluting the officers, he reported:
"Sir, the Corsicans want to negotiate with us!"
"negotiation?"
When the officers present heard the news, they couldn't help but look at each other, and saw a hint of excitement in their eyes.
They had just recovered from the charge of the cuirassiers, and had long lost the fighting spirit to resist. Now that they heard that they could negotiate a settlement with the Corsicans, it was inevitable that he would be cheered up.
But Captain Morris's expression did not change at all. He asked the sailor in a weak voice:
"What did the Corsican ask for?"
"This..." The sailor was stunned for a moment and said:
"They didn't say anything clearly. They just asked us all to disembark and said they would give us a fair verdict."
"Captain Morris!"
The officers suddenly looked at Morris longingly.
In their view, as an officer, they could keep their lives even after being captured, and they could still wait for the Royal Navy to redeem them. There was no need to stay on the ship and fight the Corsican people to the end.
"Humph!" Captain Morris looked around at these officers and snorted disdainfully:
"You stupid pigs! Our biggest bargaining chip right now is the Reasonable. Once we get off the ship, wouldn't we be at the mercy of the Corsicans?!"
"What...what do you think...?" an officer asked Captain Morris with a frown.
Captain Morris said undeniably:
"The Corsicans are definitely coveting this battleship. We will defend it and fight them to the end. They don't dare to act rashly anyway. You, soldier, tell the Corsicans that we refuse to negotiate."
As soon as these words came out, the officers, including the sailor who sent the message, couldn't help but look disappointed, and glanced at Captain Morris with some resentment.
...
"Britain always refuses to negotiate?"
Lawrence was not surprised when he received the news from Lieutenant Seth.
It would be easier if the British accepted the conditions. Even if they didn't, Lawrence would have other ideas.
"Ahem, Governor Bonaparte." Lieutenant Seth said with an ugly expression:
"Some people just heard the news that Britain refused to negotiate. They are now very angry and hope that we will take tough measures against Britain."
Lawrence nodded calmly after hearing this. The price of playing with populism is that he is easily kidnapped by public opinion. Lawrence himself knows this very well.
Fortunately, however, Lawrence's ideas coincided with those of the people this time.
"Lieutenant, where is the patrol now?" Lawrence suddenly asked.
"Patrol? They are maintaining order outside and calming the people's emotions." Lieutenant Seth replied.
"Send for Grosso from the patrol to come see me."
"Understood."
Just a moment later, Grosso came to Lawrence and asked with some confusion:
"What happened? I don't know anything about the military."
Lawrence shook his head, pointed at the Reasonable Number and asked:
"How much do you know about this kind of ship?"
Grosso glanced at the Reasonable, shrugged and said:
"A third-class line ship of the British Royal Navy, with the best shipbuilding technology and the best materials. The keel is definitely made of fine oak that is more than three hundred years old. I know this even if I have never been on that ship. All ships of the Royal Navy are so."
After explaining, Grosso joked casually:
"But you kid, don't even think about seizing this ship for your own use, otherwise the Royal Navy will send a fleet over to find you and take it back."
"No."
Lawrence shook his head firmly and said slowly:
"In my eyes, this warship is already owned by Corsica, but it still needs to go through a small step."
"Huh? What steps?" Grosso was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion.
"Burn it."
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Chapter 123 The Burning Reasonable Number (Part 2) is free to read.
